The Little Rock nine was a group of nine African American students enrolled in Little Rock Central High School in 1957. They fought for an equal education in America. Ernest Green became the first African American to graduate from Central high school. On May 25,1958 , he earned a diploma and became the first African American to graduate. Martin Luther King Jr. even attended his graduation ceremony. They were all 15 - 17 years old. The Summer of 1957, the Little Rock nine enrolled at Little Rock central high school . The effort to enroll was supported by the US Supreme Court . Elenhower would send federal troops to protect Little Rock nine. With the protection from the federal troops they were able to attend central high school. Thelma Mothershed-Wair worked at a juvenile detention center of the St. Clair county jail. She also worked at the East St. Louis ,Illinois school system for 28 years. She retired in 1994 . She now lives in Little Rock . Elizabeth Eckford was a probation officer for the first division circuit court of Pulaski county. She also served in the U.S. Army. She was also a social studies teacher. She graduated from Central State University with a bachelor’s degree.